The Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic and Latin that is translated as “justice” in English is translated in American Sign Language with a sign that describes the quality or principle of fairness, righteousness, and impartiality in treating other people. A literal back-translation of the signs are “FOLLOW(God is implied) ACTIONS, DECISIONS JUST-RIGHT”. A more idiomatic back-translation would be: “actions and decisions are right/fitting/just in accordance to God’s will.” The movement in the signs itself helps to indicate that this is a noun, not a verb. (Source: Ruth Anna Spooner, Ron Lawer)
“Justice” in American Sign Language, source: Deaf Harbor
“A wicked man accepts a bribe from the bosom”: New Revised Standard Version has revised “A wicked man” to “The wicked.” The person who gives or accepts a bribe is called “wicked” here because he is perverting justice. “Accepts” translates the verb “to take.” The subject of this verb could be a corrupt judge, a witness, or the person who offers the bribe. “From the bosom” suggests that the bribe is hidden in the folds of the briber’s garment. “Bosom” renders the same word translated “lap” in 16.33. New Revised Standard Version says “a concealed bribe.” See Good News Translation.
“To pervert the ways of justice”: “Pervert” translates a different verb than that used in 10.9, but the sense is the same, to act in a crooked, deceitful way. “The ways of justice” means the course of justice, the way things should be done, fairly and honestly. Contemporary English Version translates “Crooks accept secret bribes to keep justice from being done.” In some languages this is expressed “Bad people eat bribes and so people are not treated fairly in courts.”
Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Proverbs. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .
Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Proverbs 17:23:
Kupsabiny: “A sinner takes/accepts a bribe, in order to cover the declaration of the truth.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
Newari: “The evil person takes a bribe in secret, and then he changes his verdict.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
Hiligaynon: “A wicked man accepts bribe so-that justice will- not -be-given.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
Kankanaey: “The bad judge, he receives bribes that are given-secretly and he does not ensure justice.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
English: “Wicked people/judges accept bribes that are given to them secretly, and as a result they do not decide matters justly/fairly.” (Source: Translation for Translators)
This verse is a single sentence in Hebrew. There are no parallel parts.
17:23a
A wicked man takes a covert bribe: In Hebrew, this clause is literally “a gift from the bosom a wicked (person) takes.” In this context, it indicates that a wicked judge or other official accepts a bribe that someone takes from a hidden fold or pocket in the front of his robe. Some other ways to translate this clause are:
The wicked accept a concealed bribe (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
Corrupt judges accept secret bribes (Good News Translation)
17:23b
to subvert the course of justice: This phrase indicates the purpose of the bribe. The purpose is to “push aside” the course of justice so that an official will make an unjust decision. Another way to express the meaning of this phrase is:
to keep justice from being done (Contemporary English Version)
In some languages, it may be more natural to indicate the result of the bribe. The result is that people will not be treated fairly. For example:
and then justice is not done (Good News Translation)
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